11 Fun and Free Things to do in Johannesburg:

Museum Africa

Museum Africa

Museum Africa is situated in the Newtown Cultural District of Johannesburg. The museum has all the important historical artifacts, paintings, photographs, musical instruments and other archaeological items. Three other museums of the city have been incorporated in Museum Africa, with all their historical collection. The theme of the museum reflects the geological, social, economic and political history of the city.

Visit the Bunny Park

Bunny Park

The Bunny Park in Benoni is a must fun place to visit with your family. You can enjoy a whole day in the sun, just bring some veggies along or you can also buy some from the stall there and feed the tame the animals like bunnies, goats, cows and donkeys. Also you can bring a lovely picnic basket filled with food and relax even more. While you enjoy a great outdoors experience, your little ones can also have fun tracking down bunnies, watching peacocks or ride a camel when it is available.

Emmarentia Dam

Emmarentia Dam

Emmarentia Dam is located at a distance of less than 6 kilometers from the city center of Johannesburg and just a few minutes away from Sandton. This makes it an ideal location for everyone who wants to see the natural landscape of the city. He dam offers an amazing retreat from the urban jungle. It is a perfect place for everyone whether you are watersports fan, love fishing or just want to relax in a peace and quiet place.

Melville Koppies Nature Reserve

Melville Koppies Nature Reserve

Melville is a busy and vibrant center of Johannesburg with great restaurants and bars. It is also home to the beautiful Melville Koppies Nature reserve and a stroll through it is a must. Here, you can enjoy the beautiful landscape, enjoy the flora, small animals and many species of birds. You can also learn about the history of the area by visiting the archaeological sites with the help of a local guide.

Nan Hua Buddhist Temple

Nan Hua Buddhist Temple

Nan Hua Buddhist Temple is the South African branch of the Humanistic Buddhist Order. When visiting Johannesburg, a drive to this beautiful temple is a must. Its architecture is simply divine and marvelous. Also take some time out to visit their museum and see the huge collection of Chinese artifacts. The white Temple Lions, that guard the temple and the exact replica of the antique Chinese Palace of the Han Dynasty should also be visited.

The Maboneng Precinct

The Maboneng Precinct

The Maboneng Precinct is an example of Johannesburg’s urban renewal program. It is mainly focused around galleries, studios and offices of Arts. Many of the galleries are free for the public; they also give a very different glance into South Africa’s modern art scene. And every Sunday a typical South African fare is held by the Arts on Main, markets are set up where one can enjoy tasty food and drink of countries from around the world.

Parks and Picnic Spots

Parks and Picnic Spots

The main claim to fame of Johannesburg is that it boasts the biggest urban jungle of the world. Apart from the industrial center, you will find parks, gardens and many nature reserves, which will take your breath away. The city has wonderful natural attractions, which adds to the fascinating nature of Johannesburg. It has over 10 million trees, many gardens, 600 parks and lots of open spaces and suburbs. These places make the city a perfect place for picnic or just a casual stroll in the parks.

The Peacemakers Museum

The Peacemakers Museum

The Peacemakers Museum in Nelson Mandela Square has exhibitions that represent the Nobel laureates who have devoted their lives to bring peace in the world and to make it a better safe place. The exhibition celebrates all the Nobel peace prizewinners but its main focus is on the laureates of South Africa such as Nelson Mandela, Albert Luthuli, Desmond Tutu and FW de Klerk. You can also find out about the history of the Peace Prize, its originator, and other laureates who got this prestigious award.

Public Art

Public Art

The Public art projects in Johannesburg hold new artistic forms, improve the environment and express a mixture of rational and modern thoughts. These projects use a wide range of forms, which include sculptures, hoardings, mosaics, wall paintings and performing art. This public art in Johannesburg is mainly found in the Newton Cultural Precinct. 560 carved woodenheads placed on pedestals are spread throughout the area that reflects African diversity. Also to celebrate the freedom of South Africa, the Banner of Hope, which is a steel sculpture of the country’s flag, is set in front of the Sci-Bono Discovery center. Moreover, Clive Van Den Berg’s Eland located in Braamfontein, William Kentridge and Gerhard Marx’s Firewalker located near Park Station and the Vilikazi Street sculptures in Soweto are rapidly becoming national cultural attractions.

Historic Monuments

National Museum of Military History

Johannesburg is somewhat a young metropolis but there are many such monuments that remind the tourists of the country’s history. For the visitors who are interested in history the city has a lot to offer from the Oudstryders Monument, which honors the Boer soldiers, to the Julius Jeppe Monument, honoring the man who made the first stone house in the gold reef city. Also the National Museum of Military History reflects the history of South Africa.

Kliptown Open Air Museum

Kliptown Open Air Museum

The Kliptown Open Air Museum situated in Soweto’s Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication, represents the freedom struggle of South Africa. This historical site also symbolizes the people’s right to freedom. It tells the tale of the people who contributed in the making of the freedom charter, which was adopted on 26 June 1955. This historical museum incorporates shops, art galleries, a hotel, convention and conferencing facilities, restaurants and exhibition spaces.